Magnetic retaining means for can lids and the like



March 2, 1948. J. WEBB 2,437, 234

MAGNETIC RETAINING MEANS FOR CAN LIDS AND THE LIKE Filed March so, 1946 24 I is] A I I I l T: 36 4/ gQ/m wet 2.6 fi g J [N VEN TOR.

Patented Mar. 2, 1948 MAGNETIC RETAINING MEANS FOR CAN LIDS AND THE LIKE John Webb, Toledo,

signments, to R.

Ohio, assignor, by meme as- H. Webb and Associates,

Inc.,

Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 30, 1946, Serial No. 658,386 1 Claim. (CL 30-124) This invention relates to an improved magnetic attachment for use with can openers to temporarily retain the cut out portion or lid of a can to prevent the same from falling into the can contents.

An object of the invention is to provide a substantially permanent magnetic retaining means so arranged as not to lose its magnetism over an indefinite period of time. To this end, a relatively powerful, yet small, compact magnet is carried in a unique manner to prevent dissipation of the magnetic effectiveness of the magnet used.

Further objects of the present invention include: the ,novel constructional features of the support and adjustability of the magnet and supporting arm whereby the same can be used with various cans of widely varying sizes and diameters; the simplicity of the arrangement and means for extending and retracting the magnet arm for the different cans; means to permit swinging the magnet out of the way when the opener is moved into a normal out of use position; and means to permit the magnet per se to automatically assume varying positions as the can lid is cut so that the magnet continuously maintains its grip on the lid or cut out portion of the can.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure I is a top plan view showing my invention applied to a crank-operated can opener;

Figure II is an elevational view thereof; while Figure III is a sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure II.

I have shown my invention applied to a gear driven wall bracket type of can opener. Thus, I show in outline in Figure I, a wall bracket in. a swinging hinged arm i2, carrying the opening mechanism It, operated by crank handle iii. A releasable clamping and cutting element i1 is pivoted to the arm l2 at l8 and clamps the can 20 in place to be rotated and cut to open the lid 2!.

One embodiment of my invention is shown in Figures I-III. Here, I illustrate a supporting bracket 24 such as the stop for positioning a can on an opener which stop is in turn secured to the arm [2 of the can opener. The stop or bracket 24 is provided with ears 26 to which the extensible magnet arm 21 is hinged by pintle 28. As shown in Figure III, the arm 21 is extensible and retractable and comprises two sliding sections so and 9|, the section 30 being hinged at 28 to arm i2 through the stop or bracket 24. In this embodiment I provide section 3| with a right angle extension 33 adapted to extend over to the center line of the cam 20 as shown in Figure 1. Section 3| is connected in slidable relation to section 30 by reason of the turned under marginal flanges 34 on section 39 acting to sheath section 3i within section 30 as indicated.

A highly magnetized substantially permanent magnet 35 having a cutaway portion forming north and south poles 96 and 31, is rotatably pivoted by rivet 39 to the extension 33 of arm section 9|. This rivet 39 is of a material such as aluminum practically impervious to the conduct of magnetic lines of forces and of non-magnetic material. interposed between the magnet 35 and extension 33 is also an air space 49 formed by reason of the shoulder ll on the rivet 30 so that the magnet 35 is arranged to avoid any formations of metallic contact between the parts of the device for paths for the lines of force produced by the magnet 95, which otherwise would tend to dissipate the power of the magnet and render the device inoperative.

It will be noted that the magnet 35 may freely turn in the axis of the pivot 39, so that as the can 20 is rotated by the opening mechanism, the magnet may also turn or rotate, thereby maintaining its fixed contact with the metal of the can top and thereby retaining its grip on the can cover 2! as it is cut. Moreover if different sized cans are used, the section 3i may be drawn out or pushed in to readily bring the magnet 35 over substantially the central portion of any can being cut to aid in the gripping action.

Specifically, each of the arms for supporting the magnets I have made out of non-magnetic .material such as stainless steel or a substantially impermeable material.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

In combination with a can opening mechanism including a bracket; means carried by said bracket whereby a can and a can turning and cutting mechanism may be detachably connected together; or an arm comprising two slidably connected parts; a hinge connecting one or said parts to said bracket, said hinge being laterally spaced from and horizontally onset with respect the cutter; and a permanent magnet for retaining the cut out portion of the can; said magnet movably and rotatively pivoted on the extension 01. said s cond-mentioned arm part, said magnet haying north and south poles, the pivotal-support for said magnet being between said poles,

said magnet lying flatwise against the top of the can and arranged to produce a relatively strong magnetic field confined to the can area adjacent spect to the can upon rotary movement during said magnet, one 0! said arm parts being substantially impermeable magnetically to prevent dissipation 01' said magnet, the two part arm being operative to assume varying positions in or- I der to tend to centralize the magnet with rethe cutting actio JOHN WEBB. REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi. record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Nash July 23, 1912 Von Woltersdori Oct. 23, 1934 Groden Nov. 14, 1939 Powers Dec. 9, 1941 Edgar Jan. 6, 1942 Walgo Sept. 15, 1942 

